Where to keep the kitties? Luckily, fostering kittens can be done in basically any style of home. All you need is a warm small, closed off area that the cats can call theirs for the time being, for example, a bathroom. "Warm" is an important word here, as kittens have a harder time regulating their body temperatures. All they need in that space is a litter box or two, a readily available supply and wet and dry kitten food, and some blankets and toys. Of course, it's extremely important to keep their area clean and dry as they mature and can be adopted out. Having high places they can climb to will make them feels safer as well. Feral kittens will usually make themselves known to you around four to six weeks old, but it's vital that they stay with their mother until they are at least eight weeks. Mom's milk provides important nutrients that encourage proper growth and development until the kitten's immune system can support itself.
How do you get the kitties inside? The best time to trap kittens is from eight to ten weeks, when they have developed enough to leave their mother while still be young enough to be trained. Kittens can be super tricky to catch especially if they won't let you hold them, which is often the case. Baited traps are the best option for safe handling and transporting. Larger traps won't seem as scary to cats as smaller traps do, boosting your chances of catching them. As well, using smelly bait like tuna or jarred baby food is more enticing. Placing the traps in a more secluded space helps as the cats feel safer away from human eyes. Even with the trap as a safeguard, be sure to use gloves when first handling feral kittens and don't underestimate how quick or liquid-like they can be.
Some concerns that potential foster parents have when preparing their home for new feline residents are mostly hygienic in nature. This is for good reason, especially if there are other pets in the house. A lot of nasty things like to latch onto kittens in their first few weeks, but the good news is that they can be squeaky clean with just a bit of TLC. The number one nasty that clings to kittens is the flea. Fleas are smart and they are a pain. Upon bringing the kittens into your home, they should be given a flea bath and administered flea and tick preventative medication immediately. The process of bathing kittens for fleas is a very specific process which will be covered in a later post to give it the time it requires.
Some feral kittens can be a bit aggressive as that's what they've been taught by their mother as a survival skill. The critical socialization period for kittens is from two to seven weeks. So before you bring them into your home, it's so important to make them aware of your presence and that you are not a threat. Wet food and treats help a lot with that. The process of training feral kittens can span from a few weeks to two months. After they've been brought inside, the kittens will need an adjustment period before they should begin to be socialized. After about two days, try leaving on the TV or radio so they can get used to human voices. Be down on their level when engaging in play with them with toys, not your hands. If they exhibit friendly behavior, don't be afraid to reward them with treats or pets! Be sure to remember that they are still outdoor animals, so use gloves or protective clothing while you are still gaining their trust. Remember that you are in charge and can scruff an aggressive kitten to gain control. To scruff a kitten safely, use your whole hand to grasp the kitten by the back of the neck or by the back without pinching, pull the cat up and support the hind legs.
Fostering feral kittens is a labor of love and requires a special touch. Remember that these are only the basics of taking kittens into your home and more detailed information is to come. Patience is key and the knowledge that they'll be placed into a loving home where they can thrive is motivation enough. Below is a beautiful tabby boy, Sunny, who I recently fostered and adopted out to a neighbor!
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